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After deciding to strike her off the nursing register, the panel told Ms Kingston: “Balancing all of these factors and after taking into account all the evidence before it during this case, the panel determined that the appropriate and proportionate sanction is a striking-off order.

“Having regard to the matters it identified, in particular the effect of your actions in bringing the profession into disrepute by adversely affecting the public’s view of how a registered nurse should conduct herself, the panel has concluded that nothing short of this would be sufficient in this case.

“The panel considered that a striking off order was necessary to mark the importance of maintaining public confidence in the profession, and to send to the public and the profession a clear message about the standard of behaviour required of a registered nurse.”

The hearing found that the length of the relationship with the patient and the patient’s vulnerability were aggravating factors in the case.

In mitigation, they found Ms Kingston had fully engaged with the proceedings, had ongoing health conditions triggered by difficult life events at the time, made some early admissions to charges, and demonstrated some insight and remorse.